Retrograde — Astrology glossary

Retrograde describes the apparent backward motion of a planet against the background stars, as seen from Earth. The planet does not truly reverse; the illusion arises because Earth and the other planet move at different speeds along their orbits, so one overtakes the other. Every planet except the Sun and Moon goes retrograde periodically. In a natal chart, a retrograde planet is usually read as turning its function inward, working less openly and more reflectively than the same planet moving forward. For example, someone born with Mercury retrograde is often described as processing ideas internally before speaking, revisiting and revising rather than thinking aloud. Roughly one person in five has Mercury retrograde natally, so it is common rather than exceptional.